Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castro Regime, 1953-2011

Description: In 1953, Fidel Castro leads a protest against authoritarian Fulgencio Batista, who is in power in Cuba. Castro unsuccessfully raids military barracks, is put on public trial, and goes to prison. Known for his long and passionate speeches, he becomes a hero to poor Cuban people. Released from prison in 1955, Castro and his brother travel to Mexico, where they meet Che Guevara. In 1956 Castro returns, and with his supporters, foments the revolution in which the poor see them as liberators. Castro continues to give his long speeches to enthusiastic audiences, and the revolution is the result of many years of guerilla warfare and propaganda fights. In 1958 the United States implements an economic embargo on Cuba. Castro incites a country-wide strike and President Batista employs a large army to fight Castro, but does not defeat him and his supporters. In January 1959 Castro and his troops enter Havana and Batista leaves the city. Castro becomes the Prime Minister, with Cuba becoming a revolutionary socialist state. One can explore through the content in this collection: correspondence, commentaries on Castro’s speeches, and statements from anti-Castro exiles, all part of the The National Archives (United Kingdom); as well as reports from Human Rights Watch, news reports, articles, photographs, music, books, videos and documentaries.